The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

March 25, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Lü Gengsong (吕耿松)

吕耿松上诉 指判决违国家公约 (Lü Gengsong Appeals, Says the Judgment Violates China's Constitution and International Conventions)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/24/lu/
Anti-corruption writer Lü Gengsong (吕耿松) has raised an appeal to his sentence for “inciting subversion of state power.” Lü believes that the Court's decision ignored the rights of citizens to enjoy freedom of expression protected under China's Constitution, as well as under international conventions including the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” Lü Gengsong is a writer and rights defense activist. He has published a book and a number of articles on corruption, organized crime and related topics. In February 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison.

News
Bilateral Ties
Malaysia Cancels Show at China Request
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), March 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080324/ap_on_re_as/malaysia_canceled_show_1

Environment
Chinese Gov't to Spend 78% More on Energy Efficiency, Emission Reduction
Xinhuanet, March 25, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/24/content_7851081.htm

Human Rights Defender
冯正虎指责上海当局借罚款打击维权 (Feng Zhenghu Criticizes Shanghai Authorities for Fining and Assaulting Human Rights Work)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/24/china_rights_assault

Human Rights Defender - Yang Chunlin (杨春林)
杨春林被判刑五年并遭庭警电棍电击 (Yang Chunlin Sentenced to Five Years; Attacked with an Electric Rod)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/24/china_rights_trail


Related Information:
HRIC Statement: Five-Year Sentence of Olympics Critic Not Human Rights Progress
Human Rights in China, March 24, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/48005

Land Policy
洞头县违法转卖农民滩涂以谋取暴利的行为遭控诉 (Dongtou County Officials Criticized for Illegally Reselling Farmers' Mudflats)
Radio Free Asia, March 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/23/dong

Olympics
Awarding Games to China Was Right Move: Rogge
Reuters, March 24, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSL2413041720080324

Protesters Disrupt Ceremonies for China Olympics Flame
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), March 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080324/ts_afp/greecechinaoly2008
flameprotest_080324122231


Protests and Petitions
访民徐江娇上访期间突然截获上诉听证的传票 (Petitioner Xu Jiangjiao Receives Appeals Hearing Subpoena While Petitioning in Beijing; Fears Detention during Hearing)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/24/china_petitioner

广东省佛山市大沥镇爆发征地冲突 (Land Controversy Clash Erupts in Guangdong Village; Over 40 Villagers Injured)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/24/land

Intellectuals in China Condemn Crackdown
New York Times, March 24, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/world/asia/24china.html

武汉民办教师上访被公安打伤 (Wuhan Private Teachers Injured by Police While Petitioning in Wuhan)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/24/china_petition_teachers

在中国上访十多年的香港人 (A Hong Konger's Ten-Year Long Petitioning Plight)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/03/23/shang

Tibet
381 Rioters in Aba County Surrender to Police
Xinhuanet, March 25, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/25/content_7851636.htm

鲍彤:以和谐为重同达赖喇嘛对话 (Bao Tong, Former Secretary to Zhao Ziyang, Says Dialogue with Dalai Lama Necessary for Harmony)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/pinglun/2008/03/23/baotong

Lockdown of Tibetans Takes Economic Toll
South China Morning Post, March 25, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d773
3492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=8db11af2ea1e8110VgnVCM100000360a
0a0aRCRD


Tibet Govt-in-Exile Says About 130 Confirmed Dead in Unrest
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), March 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080324/wl_afp/chinaunresttibetrightsdala
itoll_080324092323


中国公安部就镇压西藏骚乱举行记者会 (Ministry of Public Security Holds Press Conference on Suppression of Tibet Riots)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/24/china_tibetan

XUAR
南方航空公司宣布停飞部份新疆航线 (China Southern Announces It Will Halt Several XUAR Routes)
Radio Free Asia, March 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/03/24/china_xinjiang